Overland Track Expedition
Launceston Tasmania - Sun 16th January 2022

Welcome to Tasmania! You will be met at the airport and transported to our adjoining hotel before a group briefing and dinner. This will be a great chance to meet your guides and fellow travellers; and do a gear check before learning all about what the next week has in store for you!

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Launceston Hotel (Twin Share Room)

An early start today as we get a bus from Launceston to Cradle Mountain to the start of the track. On arrival, we will check into the National Park and get our trekking permits before setting off on the walk.

The first half an our of your journey on the Overland Track is on boardwalk, across the button grass moorland where you may spot the odd wombat or two! The track soon rises and passes beside Crater Falls, then follows beside Crater Lake. You'll rest and replenish here before you tackle Marions Lookout (1250m) – the steepest section of the Overland Track.

For the next 5km you will enjoy sweeping views across the glacial landscape as you walk beside the base of Cradle Mountain, before steadily descending into spectacular Waterfall Valley to the huts and campsites. Once there, you can feel proud that you’ve just completed what many regard as the most difficult day on the track – Day 1 of your Overland journey.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping (Twin Share Tent)

Compared with the previous day’s big climb up to Marions Lookout and across the highest part of the Overland Track, the walk to Lake Windermere is

relatively flat and leisurely – but still above 1000 metres in elevation. In the next half hour after Lake Windermere you’ll walk through heathland and alpine gums as you skirt the rim of the spectacular Waterfall Valley cirque. After rain, you can hear several waterfalls far below. About an hour down the track you’ll reach the junction to Lake Will. This is to the east and west of the tarn-studded alpine moors. As you approach Lake Windermere, climb the small knoll for views down to the lake.

Windermere Hut is just beyond the lake, at the edge of a myrtle forest. Tent platforms are located either side of the hut, amongst gnarly snow peppermints and graceful pandanis, with Lake Windermere visible in the distance. Enjoy a refreshing mountain lake swim on arrival.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping (Twin Share Tent)

Your day begins striding out across the heathland and moorland. At about 4km in, you take the short side track to the Forth Valley Lookout to view into this deep, dramatic valley. Back on the main track, you’ll pass through Pine Forest Moor and continue on through button-grass moorlands before crossing Pelion Creek. You’ll then enter a glorious myrtle-beech rainforest on the eastern flanks of Mt Pelion West. It’s a gradual descent all the way through rainforest to Frog Flats – the lowest section of the Overland Track (730m above sea level). At Frog Flats you’ll cross the Forth

River. There is a campsite here, however most walkers push on to Pelion.

From Frog Flats it’s a gradual walk up through more rainforest before breaking out into the open eucalypt forest on the edge of Pelion Plains. The spacious Pelion Hut is set on the edge of picturesque button-grass plains, with the spectacular dolerite spires of Mt Oakleigh framing the view to the north.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping (Twin Share Tent)

Today is mountain day. You’ll start your walk at the same altitude as you finish, with Pelion Hut and Kia Ora Hut both at 850m in elevation. In between,

however, you’ll climb almost 300m to Pelion Gap – and more if you choose to summit one of the peaks. Start by ascending steadily through rainforest, at first following beside Douglas Creek. After a few hours, you’ll emerge from the forest onto Pelion Gap – the exposed alpine plateau between Mt Pelion East and Mt Ossa.

If the weather and time allows, you may choose to attempt to summit Tasmania’s highest peak (Mt Ossa-1617m) or the slightly lower Mt Pelion East by leaving your main pack at the junction and carrying a day pack with all the equipment and supplies required as per advice of your guides. Good views can also be had by climbing to the saddle between Mt Doris and Mt Ossa. The gradual descent from Pelion Gap to Kia Ora Hut through beautiful Pinestone Valley with views to your left of Cathedral Mountain, is a favourite part of the track for many. After arriving at Kia Ora, you’ll find the delightful Kia Ora Creek just beyond the hut.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping (Twin Share Tent)

Today is rainforest and waterfall day. Initially the track passes through button-grass, but soon you’ll be immersed in rainforest as you skirt the lower

slopes of Castle Crag. Below you, unseen from the main track, the Mersey River crashes through chasms and plunges over cliffs. About an hour into the walk, you’ll break out of the forest into a small clearing, where you’ll find Du Cane Hut, built in 1910 by Paddy Hartnett, a snarer, miner and bushman. You’re welcome to take a look inside, but its overnight use is only permitted in emergencies.

A little further on, you’ll come to the track junction marking the side trip down to see D’Alton and Fergusson Falls – the latter named after Ranger “Fergy” – the first ranger in the south end of the park. Hartnett Falls – the tallest of the three – is a little further on, o another track junction. You can leave your pack at the track junctions to explore the falls. They’re all well worth a visit. Back on the main track, you’ll swing west and begin a gradual climb to Du Cane Gap – the saddle between the Traveller Range and the Du Cane Range.

When you cross over the gap and start a steep descent, you’ll be entering the bowl-like cirque of the Du Cane Range, sculpted by glaciers thousands of years ago. Once the canopy starts to open out and eucalypts begin to appear, you’re close to camp: Windy Ridge and Bert Nichols Hut – a stunning location almost totally encircled by the spectacular Du Cane Range.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Camping (Twin Share Tent)

There’s no more uphill YAY!! It’s a gentle walk down the glacier’s path to Narcissus Hut beside Lake St Clair. Relax and enjoy your final hours of walking. Aside from pockets of wet forest beside creeks, you’ll be walking in an environment most Australians are more familiar with – amongst tall eucalypts and fragrant heath shrubs, surrounded by birdsong and scurrying skinks, and perhaps even an occasional snake on warmer days. About halfway to Narcissus, is the track junction to Pine Valley Hut. The hut is a popular spot for Tasmanian bushwalkers who journey up from Lake St Clair and use it as a base to explore the Du Cane Range.

As you near Narcissus River, the dolerite columns of Mount Olympus form a dramatic backdrop to the golden glow of button-grass moorland. The comfortable duckboard track, which protects the boggy peat soils, is a welcome change, allowing you to stroll along, savouring the view, instead of constantly watching your feet. Crossing the Narcissus River is exciting – it’s the only suspension bridge on the Overland Track. A little further on, you’ll find the small and rustic Narcissus Hut on the banks of the Narcissus River.

We then catch the ferry down Lake St Clair and where you can FINALLY take off your pack and your boots and celebrate your remarkable

achievement! Upon arrival you will have a chance to check out the visitor’s centre, order something to eat and buy souvenirs, from here you will be driven back to Launceston for a celebratory dinner and good night rest in a hotel!

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Launceston Hotel (Twin Share Room)

After breakfast and checkout, you bid farewell to your fellow travellers and we transfer you to the airport for your flight home, or onward departure point.

Meals: Breakfast